Living Generously: Surrendering All to God

Sacrificial generosity is at the very heart of following Jesus. It’s not just about giving money, but about offering our whole lives—our time, our talents, and our resources—for the sake of others and for the glory of God. From the earliest days, humanity has struggled with the word “mine,” clinging to what we have as if we are the owners. But Scripture reminds us that we are not owners, but stewards. Everything we have belongs to the Lord, and our calling is to manage it faithfully, offering it back to Him as an act of worship.

Jesus modeled this perfectly, giving up even His own life for us. Our response is to live as “living sacrifices,” continually surrendering every part of ourselves to God. This is not a one-time act, but a daily choice to stay on the altar, resisting the urge to take back control. Our purpose is to build God’s kingdom, using all He has entrusted to us to reflect His reign and love in the world.

The tension between the cravings of our flesh and the desires of the Spirit is real. Our flesh wants to put ourselves first, but the Spirit calls us to put God first. When we treasure God above all else, our hearts and our resources follow. The issue is never about the amount we give, but about the posture of our hearts—are we willing to give God our first and our best, not just our leftovers?

Personal stories and testimonies reveal that when we trust God as our provider and obey His promptings, He is faithful to meet our needs, often in unexpected ways. Whether it’s a job, a car, or provision for our children’s education, God delights in showing Himself strong on behalf of those who put Him first. The story of R.G. Letourneau reminds us that generosity is not about how much of our money we give to God, but how much of God’s money we keep for ourselves. When we sow into God’s kingdom, the seed may leave our hands, but it never leaves our lives—it multiplies, bearing fruit for eternity.

Ultimately, sacrificial generosity is an act of worship, a declaration that our trust is in God, not in our possessions. It’s a call to intentional, prayerful obedience, asking God what He would have us give and then stepping out in faith. As we do, we become conduits of His blessing, both inside the church and out in the world, pointing people to Jesus through our surrendered lives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. We are stewards, not owners, of everything God has given us. This shift in perspective changes how we approach our time, talents, and resources, inviting us to hold everything with open hands and to see our lives as offerings to God. True worship is not just about singing or attending church, but about daily surrender and faithful management of all He entrusts to us. [50:42]
• 2. Living as a “living sacrifice” is a continual act, not a one-time decision. The challenge is to remain surrendered, resisting the urge to reclaim control over areas of our lives. This means daily choosing to put God first, even when it’s uncomfortable or costly, trusting that He is worthy of our whole selves. [53:54]
• 3. The cravings of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit are in constant tension. Our flesh urges us to prioritize ourselves, but the Spirit calls us to treasure God above all. When we submit our desires and resources to God, we find freedom from the love of money and discover the joy of aligning our hearts with His purposes. [58:58]
• 4. God’s provision often follows our obedience, not the other way around. Testimonies of God’s faithfulness—whether in jobs, finances, or unexpected blessings—remind us that He is our provider. When we give sacrificially, even when it stretches us, we open the door for God to show Himself strong and to deepen our trust in Him. [65:34]
• 5. Generosity is not measured by the amount, but by the heart and obedience behind it. The seed we sow into God’s kingdom may leave our hands, but it never leaves our lives; it multiplies and bears fruit for eternity. Our giving is an act of worship, a declaration that our trust is in God, and an invitation for Him to use us to build His kingdom and bless others. [83:34]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Series Recap: “Come Follow Me”
• [02:30] - Defining Sacrificial Generosity
• [04:10] - The “Mine” Mentality and Stewardship
• [07:00] - Living Sacrifices: Surrendering All
• [10:00] - Building God’s Kingdom with Our Lives
• [12:30] - Cravings of the Flesh vs. Cravings of the Spirit
• [15:00] - Money, Motives, and the Heart
• [18:00] - Early Lessons in Giving and Trust
• [22:00] - Testimonies of God’s Provision
• [28:00] - Giving God Our First and Best
• [32:00] - The Story of R.G. Letourneau
• [35:00] - The Seed Never Leaves Your Life
• [38:00] - Cheerful Giving and Obedience
• [41:00] - Next Steps and Invitation to Respond
• [44:00] - Prayer and Closing

Bible Reading

Romans 12:1 (ESV) — > I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Matthew 6:24 (ESV) — > “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV) — > The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 12:1, what does Paul say is our “true and proper worship”?
2. In Matthew 6:24, what does Jesus say about serving both God and money?
3. What does 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 say about the attitude and results of giving?
4. In the sermon, what is the difference between being an “owner” and a “steward” of what we have? ([50:42])

Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean to be a “living sacrifice” in practical, everyday life? How is this different from a one-time act of giving? ([53:54])
2. Why do you think Jesus warns that we cannot serve both God and money? What are some ways this tension shows up in our lives? ([58:58])
3. The sermon says, “The seed you sow into the kingdom of God, it will leave your hands, but it will never leave your life.” What does this mean about the impact of our generosity? ([01:21:00])
4. How does the posture of our heart matter more than the amount we give, according to both the sermon and 2 Corinthians 9? ([01:23:34])

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about the “mine” mentality that starts in childhood and can last into adulthood. In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to let go of the idea that something is “mine”? How might God be challenging you to see yourself as a steward instead of an owner? ([50:42])
2. Think about your time, talents, and resources. Is there one area where you feel God is asking you to surrender more fully or to offer as a “living sacrifice”? What would it look like to put that on the altar this week? ([53:54])
3. The pastor shared stories of God’s provision that followed steps of obedience, not the other way around. Is there a step of faith or obedience you feel God is prompting you to take, even if you don’t see how it will work out? What’s holding you back? ([01:05:34])
4. The sermon mentioned the tension between the cravings of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. Can you identify a recent situation where you had to choose between putting yourself first or putting God first? What did you do, and what was the result? ([58:58])
5. The story of R.G. Letourneau challenged us to ask, “How much of God’s money am I keeping for myself?” How does this question change the way you think about your finances or possessions? ([01:21:00])
6. The pastor said, “God deserves our first and our best, not our leftovers.” What does giving God your “first and best” look like in your current season of life? Are there any changes you feel led to make? ([01:09:06])
7. Generosity is described as an act of worship and a way to point people to Jesus. Can you think of a time when someone’s generosity impacted you or someone you know? How might God want to use your generosity to bless others this week? ([01:23:34])